Fiscal year 2014 grant proposals from the city of Cortez are more than double the proposed municipal budget.
At a workshop Tuesday, Oct. 22, city leaders examined each of the grant requests one-by-one. Twenty-three agencies made funding request totaling more than $65,000. The city budgeted $30,000 for all 2014 grant appropriations.
“We have to be frugal with taxpayers money, but remain sensitive to those in need,” said council Ty Keel. “We have to find the right balance.”
While examining each proposal — which consisted of mission statements, goals and objectives, purpose of requested funds, location where funds would be spent, how the agency meets local needs and financial statements — each councilor weighed in with their thoughts, and ultimately gave either a thumbs up or a thumbs down on each request.
Ensuring agencies impacted local residents without overlapping services were the main criteria municipal leaders considered.
“I want to make sure the money is not spent on administrative costs,” said council Tom Butler. “The money should be spent on our residents.”
City officials are expected to notify agencies if their respective funding requests were approved within the next couple of weeks. Those decisions could ultimately change by January, when city leaders will first vote to approve the expenditures.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
